# These Leaf Spots Are Warning Signs for Cowpea Farmers as Monsoon Diseases Spread, Expert Says

> Rust and mosaic disease are spreading through barbati crops this monsoon, and a plant pathology expert has explained how farmers can spot the warning signs on leaves and treat them in time.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Chhattisgarh · **Published:** 2026-09-07 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/chhattisgarh/barisha-ke-mausama-men-barabati-ki-pattiyon-para-ubhara-rahe-ye-daga-vaijnanika-ne-bataya-kaise-bachaen-phasala-28735 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Barbati, Rust Disease, Mosaic Disease, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Balod, Crop Protection, Farmer Advisory, Monsoon Farming, Pest Control

Cowpea, known locally as barbati, is a reliable earner for farmers who grow it through the monsoon, but the same rain that helps the crop along also creates ideal conditions for disease. Dr Bhimeshwari Sahu, a plant pathology subject matter specialist at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Balod, has urged growers to inspect their barbati fields closely in the coming days, warning that shifting weather and rising humidity are already triggering outbreaks.

## Spotting Rust Disease Early
According to Dr Sahu, rust disease is the biggest threat to barbati crops during the rainy season. It is considered a serious disease because, once it takes hold, it can spread rapidly across a field and cause heavy damage if farmers do not act in time. The disease is fairly easy to spot: rust-coloured spots or marks resembling corrosion appear on the upper surface of the leaves. Farmers sometimes dismiss these early marks as minor, a mistake that can prove costly later. Control measures should begin as soon as such spots are noticed on the leaves.

## Treating Rust with Mancozeb and Carbendazim
To manage rust disease, Dr Sahu recommends a combination spray of Mancozeb and Carbendazim. The advice is to mix two grams of the combined medicine in one litre of water and spray it across the crop. While spraying, it is important to make sure the solution reaches every leaf thoroughly, since incomplete coverage reduces its effectiveness.

## Mosaic Disease Also Spreading
Besides rust, barbati crops are also showing signs of mosaic disease, a viral infection. Instead of staying a uniform green, infected leaves turn mottled, developing patches of yellow alongside the green. If left unchecked, the disease can stunt the plant's normal growth and ultimately cut down the harvest.

## Controlling the Insects That Spread It
Dr Sahu said the key to managing mosaic disease is controlling the insects that carry the virus from one plant to another. She recommends spraying a mix of 1.5 ml of Imidacloprid per litre of water along with 2 ml of neem oil per litre of water. Repeating this spray every 10 days helps keep the carrier insects in check and limits how far the mosaic disease can spread.

## What Farmers Should Do Next
Dr Sahu advised farmers to check their barbati fields at least twice a week through the monsoon, since disease symptoms can escalate quickly in humid conditions. Fields that have had rust or mosaic problems in previous seasons benefit from having a spray schedule ready in advance rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. Timely application of the right medicine in the right quantity can save the crop and spare farmers significant losses.

## What this means for you
Left unchecked, rust and mosaic disease can cut barbati yields sharply, hitting both the crop and the farmers' earnings from it.

- **Across India:** The warning matters for anyone growing vegetables during the monsoon, since rising humidity can trigger rust and mosaic disease in barbati fields well beyond one district. Regular leaf inspection is the simplest way to catch either disease before it spreads.
- **In Balod:** The Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Balod has directly alerted local farmers to act now. Those who begin spraying the Mancozeb-Carbendazim and Imidacloprid-neem oil combinations promptly can prevent serious crop losses this season.
- **On farmer income:** Disease outbreaks reduce yield, which directly cuts into what farmers earn from the crop. The relatively small cost of spraying two grams of medicine per litre of water on time can protect much larger returns.
- **On vegetable prices:** A drop in barbati output can reduce its supply in local markets, which may push up prices for consumers. Timely disease control therefore has an indirect benefit for buyers too.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. How can farmers identify rust disease in barbati?
Rust disease shows up as rust-coloured brown-orange spots or marks on the upper surface of the leaves.

### 2. Which medicine should be sprayed to control rust disease?
A combination of Mancozeb and Carbendazim, mixed at two grams per litre of water, is recommended for spraying.

### 3. What are the symptoms of mosaic disease?
Infected barbati leaves turn mottled, showing patches of yellow and green instead of staying a uniform green.

### 4. How can mosaic disease be controlled?
Farmers should spray 1.5 ml of Imidacloprid with 2 ml of neem oil per litre of water at 10-day intervals to control the carrier insects.

### 5. Who gave this advice?
The advice comes from Dr Bhimeshwari Sahu, a plant pathology subject matter specialist at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Balod.

### 6. How often should farmers check their fields?
Dr Sahu advised checking barbati fields at least twice a week during the monsoon season.

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